New York

New York 
Dark outside all I see is a figure, which is bald and wears glasses.
I remember a time when there was a war and we had to use black 
curtains so the enemy flying over the town could not see it, even
though it was on their map. And sometimes they dropped bombs 
anyway just for the hell of it. My uncle a merchant seaman, told me 
of the fantastic sight coming from a war torn Europe and seeing
New York lit up like a colossal Christmas tree, like seeing paradise.
New Yorkers treated foreign seamen with great respect and 
much beer was drunk… my uncle survived after being torpedoed 
three times. When he after five years came home to Norway,
he was told who lucky he was having avoided the hunger of war.
 It is dark outside but not as dark as my uncle´s mind when he,
after the war tried to return to his New York, they wouldn´t let
him go because he behaved so strangely… five years of war and
know one understood he suffered post traumatic stress. And no 
recognition came his way…alone by the shore of lost sanity he
dreamed of his beloved New York.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Collins Avatar
November 16, 2012 at 6:59 AM
There are too many barbaric war stories ruining dreams and lives. The City must have been quite a sight out of the dark.
Hansen Avatar
December 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM
thank you kathy
Bauer Avatar
November 15, 2012 at 4:03 PM
well-written and very poignant. as a new yorker, i like the fact that your uncle dreamed of coming back here. too bad he didn't make it.
Hansen Avatar
December 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM
thank you i lene
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace